WO1994018859A1

WO1994018859A1 - Ashtray

Info

Publication number: WO1994018859A1
Application number: PCT/SE1994/000139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gunnar LÖFBERG
Original assignee: Järn I Offentlig Miljö Gunnar Löfberg Ab
Priority date: 1993-02-23
Filing date: 1994-02-21
Publication date: 1994-09-01
Also published as: AU6159594A; SE500001C2; SE9300592L; SE9300592D0; GB9515180D0; DE4490992C1; GB2289837A; GB2289837B

Abstract

Ashtrays in public environments are odorous, unpleasant containers, which are usually filled with sand and which also frequently contain general refuse. An ashtray for outdoor use must be easy to handle, aesthetically pleasing and simple to use. A deep, narrow, tight receptacle (2), which tapers towards the lower end, inherently extinguishes burning objects by virtue of its design. The mesh (1) prevents other refuse from being deposited in the receptacle (2). A semi-enclosing plate (3) attached at an angle to the upper wall of the receptacle is used to divide the said receptacle into two compartments to conceal its contents, and also to guide the said contents out through the opening (7) when emptying. Oxygen is consumed quickly in the lower section (6), preventing air movement and making the receptacle free of odours and smoke. The receptacle is, at the same time, suitable for outdoor use in that it is designed to collect rainwater and prevent discoloration, while preventing rupture of the tapered receptacle (2) due to the freezing of the water collected. The outer casing (9) or (10) provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance, while unauthorised removal of the receptacle is prevented by the locking device (8).

Description

Ashtray

This invention refers to a receptacle for tobacco smoking residues, which extinguishes incompletely extinguished residues efficiently without the use of mechanically movable parts.

Background

Burning and polluting cigarette ends are an environmental nuisance to everybody. The crude methods presently used to collect these items (usually a cylindrical container filled with sand) create an unpleasant, dirty and foul-smelling environment. Since ashtrays of this type are unhygienic and unpleasant, their care is often neglected, thereby aggravating the problem. The adoption of more complicated solutions is precluded by the risk of vandalism and the effects of weather, which clearly call for simplicity of design.

In indoor and outdoor public areas, it is desirable that tobacco smoking residues should be disposed of without causing pollutant effects, regardless of weather and wind, since many people reside in the vicinity of such areas. It is also desirable that cleaning personnel should be able to handle such residues in an hygienic and pleasant manner when emptying receptacles. Furthermore, high standards of visual attractiveness and tidiness are required in our common environment.

The ashtrays used at present in indoor and outdoor public areas comply only with some, and often with none of the foregoing requirements. The invention proposed in this application consists of a receptacle with a large volume, the arrangement and shape of which enable tobacco smoking residues to be handled in a simple, environment- friendly and hygienic manner, while being of an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Purpose and main characteristics of invention

The purpose of the invention is to provide a receptacle for tobacco smoking residues which a) extinguishes incompletely extinguished cigarette ends by virtue of its shape, without the use of mechanically movable parts and b) prevents the spread of smoke and odours. Visual contact c) with the cigarette ends shall be avoided. Conditions d) for simple and hygienic handling: The shape e) shall also be such as to prevent refuse other than tobacco smoking residues from being deposited in the receptacle. The receptacle shall be designed for year-round, outdoor use without f) discolouration of the surface on which it is placed. Furthermore, g) the receptacle shall be impervious to rupture caused by freezing. The receptacle shall not h) be removable by an unauthorised person and the appearance i) shall be aesthetically pleasing. The purpose and characteristics of the invention as described above are fulfilled as follows: a) and b) The receptacle is tight and deep, which creates a shortage of oxygen and thereby extinguishes burning residues and eliminates air flow, thereby preventing smoke and odours from rising to the opening, c) The residues are concealed by the depth of the receptacle and by its internal plate, d) The opening provided for the purpose enables the receptacle to be emptied easily, during which the residues are guided by the internal lip. e) The mesh over the receptacle opening prevents the deposit of other refuse, f) Rainwater which might otherwise become discoloured and, in turn, discolour the underlying surface, is collected in the receptacle until it is emptied. The large volume of the receptacle enables extremely high quantities of rainwater to be collected without overflowing, g) The tapered shape of the receptacle prevents rupture due to freezing of collected rainwater, h) Since the receptacle is securely locked in an outer casing, removal by unauthorised persons is prevented, g) Two alternative shapes of receptacle afford the means of an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Description of drawing

Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of an ashtray through section A-A in the plan view (Fig. 3), with a receptacle (2) in the locked position in an outer casing (9) in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of an ashtray through section A-A in the plan view (Fig. 3), with a receptacle (2) released from its locked position in an outer casing (10).

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing section A-A.

Description of embodiment

An steel mesh which is curved upward and attached over the top of a receptacle is denoted by (T) on the drawing. The receptacle (2) is in the shape of a long tube which tapers towards the lower end. The receptacle (2) is divided into two compartments (5) and (6) by means of an angled plate (3). The angled plate forms a partition (3) and, together with its extended section (4), covers more than half of the opening of the receptacle (2) as seen in the plan view.

An opening (7) in the side of the receptacle (2) beside the angled plate (3) and (4) enables the contents to be emptied easily.

An outer casing (9) or (10) encloses the receptacle (2) and the locking device (8) in the outer casing locks the receptacle in position and prevents unauthorised emptying.

Claims

Patent claims

1. An ashtray (collector for tobacco smoking residues) provided with a steel mesh over the opening of a collection receptacle, ch^¬ a racterised in that a steel mesh (1) is curved upward and is attached to a long, tapered and tight receptacle (2) which tapers towards the bottom end, which receptacle is provided with an angled plate (3) attached to the upper wall of the receptacle, the inner edge (4) of which plate covers more than half of the receptacle area as seen in plan view, which plate divides the receptacle into two compartments (5) and (6), and which receptacle is further provided with an opening (7) located immediately adjacent to the said angled plate (3).

2. An ashtray as described in patent claim 1., ch a racter¬ ised in that the receptacle is locked in an outer casing (8).